All The Monitor's View
- North Korea's moment of truth about its gulag
In a first, a North Korean official confesses that the regime runs 'reeducation' labor camps. The admission hints at change and a possible rejection of Marxist notions about truth being subject only to the power relations of economic and social conditions.
- Ukraine's drive for clean governance
Despite an armed conflict, economic stagnation, and elections, Ukraine starts to erode endemic corruption, first by forcing officials to divulge personal assets. Honesty in governance may be a main defense against Russia.
- A revolution in giving – and trust
The less-well-off in America are giving more of their income than the wealthy, perhaps because it is easier to give through digital networks. But ordinary folks may also be bonding through charity as trust in government and business declines.
- A first responder to the fear of Ebola
Compassion toward Ebola patients starts to kick in as more people, especially health-care workers, put fear and prejudice in their place. The crisis demands a humanitarian response as much as isolation of Ebola.
- Why teens often lead protests
In Hong Kong’s demonstrations, a 17-year-old leads others in the demand for full democracy from China. Like many student activists, he seeks proof of theories learned in class – and assurance of a better life ahead.
- The Hong Kong 'umbrella revolution' pokes at China's conscience
The Hong Kong protests are a plea for China to live up to a promised ideal of universal rights, and not ‘rob the common man of his purpose.'
- India's sunny 'saffron revolution'
In his visit to the US, India's new prime minister, Narendra Modi, makes an impression on his plans for the poor, especially in expanding solar power. His record so far suggests India could be a global solar champion.
- Muslims who counter IS atrocities on women
The Islamic State's brutality toward women deserves both criticism and counterexamples. When the new president of Afghanistan thanks his wife in public, Muslims notice.
- In praise of Mexico's moment
With stunning political consensus, Mexico has passed 11 major reforms in 20 months, indicating a new civility, openness, and service to others.
- Obama's war of democracy in Iraq, Syria
Before starting war on Islamic State, President Obama pushed a freedom agenda on Iraq: It must have a sustainable democracy. But the war is also in Syria. Might he also be forced to push democracy there?
- Defeating Islamic State – with an alternative vision
President Obama knows war alone will not defeat the Islamic State group. In his UN speech, he asked Muslims to offer a different vision from the IS approach of imposing a self-defined cultural purity by force.
- Obama's plan for climate-change 'resilience'
At the UN climate summit, President Obama announced US plans to help other countries prepare for climate change. The US effort on global resilience may help fight the fatalism on efforts to curb carbon emissions.
- A deal to glue a divided Afghanistan
An American-brokered deal to resolve the presidential election in Afghanistan aims to create a unity government, one that may bridge ethnic divides and tackle corruption.
- Scotland's vote helps others define community ties
The 'no' vote against independence by Scotland helps bring the United Kingdom together in redefining UK identity through more power to local communities. New political contours will reshape the shared ethical life and create ties that bind beyond culture.
- Why Ukraine speaks of civilization to Americans
In his speech to Congress, Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko asked for arms to defend 'civilization' against Russian 'barbarity.' Yet Putin speaks of defending 'Russian civilization.' Why this conflict on 'civilizations'?
- Why Congress must vote on Obama's war with IS
President Obama would welcome the backing of lawmakers for his war on Islamic State group, or ISIS. But Congress must first debate in full view the moral underpinnings of the war.
- To save Africans from Ebola, salve their fears
The American military's efforts against the Ebola outbreak and other examples of foreign aid must first bolster the confidence of West Africans, in dealing with fear, distrust, isolation.
- Rise of common folk in Brazil, India, Indonesia
New and popular politicians in the developing world's largest democracies come from humble origins. This trend reflects an 'equality of conditions,' or free societies that come to see dignity in each individual.
- NFL's need to tackle player violence
The Ray Rice video of domestic abuse should stir both fans and the NFL to rethink football violence, not just off the field but on.
- Obama's multiple fronts to preserve countries
From saving Iraq from the Islamic State to saving Ukraine from Russia, President Obama tries to preserve communities bound together as nation-states or in other ways. One lesson lies in Scotland's Sept. 18 referendum on whether to split with England.